Lettuce Seeds - Purple Sword Celtuce
75-85 day maturity. Lactuca sativa var. asparagina ‘Purple Sword Celtuce’. Purple Sword Celtuce Lettuce Seeds. Non-GMO, cool-season annual heirloom. This variety of Chinese stem lettuce has good tolerance to cold and cracking. Chinese stem lettuce originated in southern China and came to the U.S. in the 1800s. It is grown for the stalks and leaves, which can be used as Choi in stir-fries with meats. The leaves are greenish purple, and the stem skin is light purple. Purple Sword is best for spring and fall planting. Approx. 28,400 seeds / oz.
Lettuce Seeds - Purple Sword Celtuce - Heirloom
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Other Common Names: Stem lettuce, asparagus lettuce, celtuce, Chinese lettuce, wo sun, wo ju sun, jing wo ju, tender stem lettuce, ngao lei shaang tsoi, woo chu, woh sun, kaki jisha, keman ayer, kuki chisha, or stemuretasu.
How to Grow Purple Sword Celtuce Lettuce
Prepare fertile, well-draining soil. In cool climates, sow seeds in a bright location in spring after the last frost or in the late summer to early fall. Sow seeds in trays, then later transplant them into a growing bed. In temperate areas, sow in spring or fall. In tropical climates, sow year round, avoiding the mid-summer. Seeds need light to germinate; do not bury. Keep the soil damp; celtuce has a shallow root system. Moderate watering is needed once the stems emerge. Too little or too much water can cause cracking. Apply liquid fertilizer or compost tea every three weeks.
Harvesting Purple Sword Celtuce Lettuce
If desired, pick individual outer leaves before the plant is ripe but do not pick too many at any one time. Cut down the entire plant before flowering, when the stems are at least 1” in diameter and 1” tall.
Culinary Tips
Use the young leaves in salad or cook them lightly (about 4 minutes). Eat the stalks fresh or cooked. Peel the outer skin and slice the stem; add to salads, pickled sides, soups, and stir-fries. To preserve freshness, don’t remove the leaves from the stalk until you are ready to consume them. Older leaves are usually too tough for enjoyable consumption.
Tips From Our Gardeners
“If you live in a colder climate like me, you can cover celtuce plants with cloches or tunnels to extend the growing season into the autumn.”
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- Lara Wadsworth, True Leaf Market Writer |
Seeds Per Package
- 2 g packet - Approximately 1,300 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 18,500 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 74,000 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 296,000 Seeds
Basic Info
| Latin Name: | Lactuca sativa var. asparagina ‘Purple Sword Celtuce’ |
| Purple Sword Celtuce Lettuce Color: | Light purple stems, dark greenish purple leaves. |
| Purple Sword Celtuce Lettuce Flavor: | The stalks taste like a mild, nutty cucumber. The leaves taste slightly bitter and sweet. |
Growing Info
| Days to Maturity: | 75-85 Days |
| Days to Germination: | 3-5 Days |
| Seeding Depth: | Uncovered |
| Row Spacing: | 12-18 inches |
| Plant Height: | 12-18” |
| Growth Habit: | A compact rosette of leaves atop a stiff stem. |
| Soil Preference: | Moist, fertile soil. Avoid prolonged sogginess. |
| Temperature Preference: | 40-80℉ |
Other
| Plant Width: | 12-18 inches |
| Pests and Disease: | Susceptible to standard lettuce aliments. Slugs and downy mildew can be troublesome. Where leaves are harmed, the stems are still edible. |